Collapsible display rack



Aug. 20, 1963 J. w. BROWN COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY RACK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 25, 1961 INVENTOR.

JAMES WILLIAM BROWN Aug. 20, 1963 J. w. BROWN 3,101,1

' COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY RACK I Filed Jan. 23 1961 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 Fig. {I

INVENTOR.

53 JAMES WILLIAM BROWN United States Patent 3,101,148 COLLAPSHBLE DlSPLAY RACK James William Brown, Memph s, Tenn, assignor to National Manufacturing (Iompany, Memphis, Tenn, a corporation of Tennessee Filed Jan. 23, 1961, Ser. No. 84,037 4- Claims. (til. 211-148) This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in connection with display racks especially adaptable for usage in merchandising establishments such as grocery stores and the like for the purpose of displaying articles of merchandise, particularly of the nature of packaged goods such as potato chips.

It is frequently desirable in present day grocery stores and similar merchandising outlets as of the nature of the so-called super markets to provide display racks which may be readily moved from place to place, and which are very simple of assembly and mounting, and particularly which require no tools for such purposes. To this end it is desirable that the display rack should be collapsible and that the entirety of the device may be reduced to a folded and easily packaged number of elements which may be readily extended into use position landmounted for such purpose.

The present invention is primarily directed to the provision :of a display rack, particularly of a collapsible nature, which may be readily erected and dismounted, and which is easily portable from place to place in innerchandising establishment, yet which provides a highly attractive and useful means of displaying articles of merchandise such as packaged goods.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible and dcmountable display rack for articles of merchandise.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device which comprises a pair of end supports formed of tubular members and having end panels connected with the tubular framework, and a rear panel hinged along its vertical medial center line and [also hinged to the respective tubular supports for folding rfiorwardly to a collapsed position and folding rearwardly to an extended position, with the respective panels being adapted to receive and support as well as be braced by a series of vertically spaced apart shelves.

A further object of the invention is to provide a co lapsible display rack in which centrally hinged rear panel means is hinged at its opposite edges to end supports, and in which a plurality of shelves are detachably and removably mounted in the racks; and

A further object of the invention is generally to improve the design, construction and efiiciency of display racks.

The means by which the aforegoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be readily understood {from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the completed display rack in erected condition.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device as seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view with the shelves removed from the device, and with the rack partially collapsed.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the device with one of the shelves in position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective View of one of the shelves.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view illustrating the arrangement of the hinging means and the limit means at the central vertical medial line of the rear panel; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional plan view at one of the rear corners of the device, illustrating details of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, the display rack of the tially Usbent shape with elongated downwardly extending legs 13 which provide the support for the device when it is erected. I

To each of the end supports 11 are attached end panels 15', each of which consists of a frame 17 of quadrilateral conformation and of a size to fit within the confines of the end supports 11. J

To the frames '17 are fixed a number of groups of cross bars which groups [are vertically spaced apart and each of which groups preferably includes a number of horizontally disposed cross bars such as the cross bars 19, 20, 21. If desired an inclined cross bar 22 may be added to the groups. "Fixed to the legs 13 of end supports -11 are inwardly projecting studs 23.

Selected horizontal cross bars such as the cross bars 21 are elongated to extent beyond trame17 and at their [forward ends, cross bars 21 are folded upon themselves to provide crooks 25 which embrace and engage the studs 23 formed upon the forward legs 13 so as to connect the forward edge of panels 15 to the end supp His. Cross bars 21 are rearwardly extended to project beyond frame 17 to a greater extent than the forward projection thereof and are folded upon themselves to provide loops 27. Loops 27 ernlbrace the studs 23 formed on the rear legs 13 in order to connect the end panels to the end supports, and loops 2.7 are extended therebeyond and laterally deformed to provide inwardly projecting loop-like portions tor the reception of hinge eyes as will hereinafter be described. In this manner the end panels are fixed to the end supports so as to provide an end enclosure and the rear loops 27 provide ameans for the hinged attachment of rear panel means thereto.

The device further includes a rear vertically disposed closure 29 which preferably is formed from a pair of rear panels 31, 33, which are hingedly interconnected at their adjacent edges and cooperate together to provide the rear closure 29, and the panels are also hingedly connected to the supports 11 in order to provide for a foldable closure structure.

Each of the rear panels: consists of a peripheral frame such as the frame 35 of panel 31 and the frame 36 of panel 33. Each of the drames 35, .36 is a substantially rectangular frame and spanning horizontally between the upright members of the frames are groups of cross bars.

Thus, in panel 31, frame 35 is provided with a number of vertically spaced apart groups of cross bars, each of which groups includes an upper cross bar 37, an intermediate cross bar 38, and a lower cross bar 39. If desired, the groups of cross bars may be supplemented by additional and more widely spaced cross bars 41.

Similarly panel 33 has within its frame 36 vertically spaced apart groups of cross bars which include upper cross bars 43, intermediate cross bars 44, and lower cross bars 45, and these groups may, if desired, be supplemented by additional cross bars 47.

Each of the cross bars 37, 38, 39, 41, 43, 44, 45 and 47 span between and are rigidly fixed to the upright members of the rear panel frames with which they are associated. It will be observed that when the device is completely assembled the respective cross bars of the rear panel are in substantial horizontal \alinement with the rear ends of the cross bars of the respective end panels.

The rear panels, if desired, may be supplemented by additional upright members 49 spanning from top to bo disposed, vertically open eye 53. hingedly and turnably engaged with the inwardly extending loop-like portions of rear loops 27, thus providing a hinged connection between the respective rear panels and the respeotive end frames so that the rear panels 31, 33 are at their outer edges hingedly supported for free swingingmovement relativeto end supports 11.

turnably engage hinge rod 55.

3 tom of :the respective frames 35', 36 and rigidly secured thereto,-and also being secured to the several cross bars carried by the respective frames.

One of the cross bars of each group of cross bars carried by the rear frames 35, '36, such as cross bars 39 and 45, at their outer ends are formed into a horizontally Each of eyes Sil is One of the cross bars of each of the groups of cross bars of one of the rear panels, such as the intermediate cross bars 38 of rear panel 31, is extended inwardly beyond the frame of the panel, such as frame 35, and is bent backwardly upon itself to provide a bight 53, which, when the device is assembled, is of a length to overlap the innermost upright of the opposite panel, such as frame '36. To bights 53 is rigidly fixed an elongated hinge rod '55 which is spaced away from the innermost edge of the panel frame, and which extends from the uppermost group of cross bars of the rear panel to a point adjacent the lowermost group of cross bars of the panel.

The corresponding intermediate cross bars of the other panels, such as the cross bars 44 of panel 33, are oppositely extended inwardly beyond the frame 36, land at their inner ends are provided with eyes 57 which embrace and It will be observed that the uppermost eye 57 closely overlies the uppermost biglit 53 and rests thereupon, thus limiting downward move- -ment of panel 33 relative to panel 31, and lowermost eye 57 closely underlies the lowermost bight 53, thus limiting upward movement of panel 33 relative to panel 31.

It will be seen that by the engagement of the eyes 57 with hinge rod "55, which is rigidly carried by bights 53 formingpart of panel 31, the two panels are hingedly interconnected at the vertical center medial line of the rear closure for hinged movement to and from an extended position. It will further be seen that bights 53 extend so :as to overlap frame 36 of panel 33 and thus to prevent and limit rearward hinged movement of the panels relatively and insure their alinement in substantially coplanar relationship.

Thus it will be seen'further that there is here provided a foldable rack adapted for the reception of support shelves for packaged goods and the like. There is provided ea shelf-supporting rack which consists of end supports 11 and the contained end panels 15, and rear 010- sure 29 consisting of the rear panels 31, 33. The rack is extendable into position in which the rear panels are in substantially coplanar relationship and are extended to form the rear closure of the device, and the end supports and their contained panels are disposed substantially perpendicularly to the rear closure.

lt will be observed that the hinging of each of the panels to the supports and to themselves is ofiset somewhat from the periphery of the panels. so as to enhance the swinging movement relatively between the end supports and the rear panels for collapsing of the device in which it may be folded to a completely collapsed position in which each of the elements (the end supports and the rear panels) are in substantial parallelism and may "readily be stored away. It will further be observed that grid-like shelf and adjacent its forward edge includes outwardly projecting downwardly open hooks 61 which are dimensioned and adapted to fit over one of the cross bars of end panels 15. The books 61 are so disposed as to be offset from the support plane of the shelves and thus are effective to embrace the cross bars of the end panels so as to limit the lateral movement of the end supports and end panels relative to the shelves and the remainder of the structure, and additionally effectively to support the forward edges of the shelves.

In addition the rem of each of the shelves is provided with an additional supporting series of hooks 63 which are similarly upwardly offset from the support level of the respective shelves, and which are adapted to fit over .a selected cross bar of therespcctiverear panels of rear ticularly the rear edge thereof.

It is further preferred that each of shelves 59 should be provided with a front 65 disposed substantially perpendicularly to and rigidly carried by the respective shelves 5%. Shelf fronts 65 are particularly adapted to limit the forward movement in an undesired manner of such packaged goods as may be deposited on the respective shelves.

When the rack has been extended to support position with end supports 11 and panels 15 substantially perpendicularly disposed to rear closure 29, and with rear closure positioned with panels 31, 33 in substantially coplanar relationship, the shelves may be positioned thereupon, being respeotively engaged with the vertically spaced groups of cross bars of the end panels and of the rear panels. In this manner the shelves, as is best shown in FIG. 1, are supported in vertically spaced apart relationship.

It will be seen, as shown in FIG. 1, that the shelves are disposed there in :a'rearwardly inclined position, but, in View of the arrangement of the respective hooks 61, 63 of each of the shelves, that they may be engaged with selected cross bars of the respective panels so as to either dispose the shelves in horizontal relationship or in @a forwardly inclined relationship if desired. The shelves provide a support for the packaged goods which are to be displayed on the rack, and in addition serve to brace the rack in extended condition against undersired folding or collapse.

The shelves may be easily removed by disengaging the hooks from the cross bars, and the rack collapsed by folding. Thereafter the folded rack and the shelves may be conveniently stored awaiting future usage.

I claim:

1. In a display rack, a pair of opposite end supports at the outer ends of said rack, each end support including a panel having cross bars, a vertically spaced series of loop-like portions connected to and projecting inwardly from said end supports, a rear closure comprising a pair of rear panels havingcross bars, each said rear panel at its outer edge having a plurality of outwardly extending, vertically spaced horizontal eyes respectively linked to .and hingedly engaged with said loop-like portions, hinging said rear panels respectively to said end supports, a vertical hinge rod positioned between the inner edges of said rear panels, said rod being fixedly connected with one of said rearpanels, the other said panel including inwardly projecting horizontal eyes, the latter said eyes turnably embracing said rod, and hinging said rear panels together for unfolding and folding to and from extended substantially coplanar relationship, from and to folded relationship, one said rear panel including a plurality of limit means inwardly extending beyond said hinge means and overlapping the other said panel limiting unfolding of said rear closure beyond said coplanar relation of said rear panels, and a plurality of shelves detachably mounted in said rack with said closure in coplanar extended condition, said shelves including downwardly open end hooks embracingly engaging end panel cross bars and limiting swinging movement of said end panels relative to said rear closure, and downwardly open 5 rear hooks embracingly engaging rear panel cross bars and limiting folding of said rear closure away fromsaid coplanar relation.

2. In a display rack, a pair of opposite end supports at the outer ends of said rack, each end support includto said end supports, a vertical hinge rod positioned be tween the inner edges of said rear panels, said rod being being fixedly connected with one of said rear panels, the other said rear panel including-inwardly projecting horizontal eyes, the latter said eyes turnably embracing said rod, and hinging said rear panels together for un of limit means inwardly extending beyond said hinge means and overlapping the other said panel limiting un-v folding of said rear closure :beyond said coplanar relation of said rear panels, and a plurality of shelves detachably mounted in said rack with said closure in coplanar extended condition, said shelves limiting swinging movement of said end panels relative to said rear closure, and limiting folding of said closure away from said coplanar relation.

4. In a display rack, a pair of opposite end supports 7 at the outer ends of said rack, each end support including a panel having cross bars, portions connected to and projecting inwardly from said end supports, a rear closure comprising a pair of rearpanels having cross bars, each said rear panel at its outer edge having a plurality of outwardly extending, vertically spaced means respectively folding and folding to and from extended substantially coplanar relationship, from and to folded relationship, one said rear panel including a plurality of limit mean-s inwardly extending beyond said hinge means and overlapping the other said panel limiting unfolding of said rear closure beyond said coplanar relation of said rear panels, and a plurality of shelves detachably mounted in said rack with said closure in coplanar exouter edge having a plurality of outwardly extending,

vertically spaced means respectively hingedly engaged with said portions, hinging said rear panels respectively to said end supports, means hinging said rear panels together for unfolding and folding to and from extended substantially coplanar relationship, from and to folded relationship, one said rear panel including a plurality hingedly engaged with said portions, hinging said rear panels respectively to said end supports, means hinging said rear panels together for unfolding and folding to. and from extended substantially, coplanar relationship,

from and to folded relationship, one said rear panel includinga plurality of limit means inwardly extending beyond said hinge means and overlapping the other said panel limiting unfolding of said rear closure beyond said coplanar relation of said rear panels, and a plurality of shelves detachably unounted in said rack with said closure in coplanar extended condition, said shelves including downwardly open end hooks embracingly engaging end panel cross bars and limiting swinging movement of said panels relative to said rear closure, and downwardly open rear hooks embracingly engaging rear' panel cross bars and limiting folding of said rear closure away from said coplanar relation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 923,725 Sterrett' June 1, 1909 1,915,625 Smith June 27, 1933 1,959,454 Biescar May 22, 1934 2,315,595 Ch'appory Apr. 6, 1943 2,680.522 Temple June 8, '1954 

3. IN A DISPLAY RACK, A PAIR OF OPPOSITE END SUPPORTS AT THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID RACK, PORTIONS CONNECTED TO AND PROJECTING INWARDLY FROM SAID END SUPPORTS, A REAR CLOSURE COMPRISING A PAIR OF REAR PANELS, EACH SAID PANEL AT ITS OUTER EDGE HAVING A PLURALITY OF OUTWARDLY EXTENDING, VERTICALLY SPACED MEANS RESPECTIVELY HINGEDLY ENGAGED WITH SAID PORTIONS, HINGING SAID REAR PANELS RESPECTIVELY TO SAID END SUPPORTS, MEANS HINGING SAID REAR PANELS TOGETHER FOR UNFOLDING AND FOLDING TO AND FROM EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR RELATIONSHIP, FROM AND TO FOLDED RELATIONSHIP, ONE SAID REAR PANEL INCLUDING A PLURALITY 